The Chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC, Kabir Gaya (APC-Kano), has said that the direct primaries clause adopted by the Senate in the proposed Electoral Amendment Bill is not a revolt against State governors but an opportunity to protect legislators from the governors.
The senator, who appeared alongside the member of the House of Representatives representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Babajimi Benson (APC -Lagos), stated this when he appeared on a television a programme on Tuesday.
Recall that the Senate on Tuesday revisited Section 87 (1) of the Electoral Bill and also adopted direct primaries for all political parties in the country.
Section 87(1) of the Bill now reads: “A political party seeking to nominate candidates for elections under this Bill shall hold direct primaries for aspirants to all elective positions, which shall be monitored by the Commission.
While direct primaries involve the participation of all party members in the selection of party candidates, the indirect primaries involve the use of delegates who are usually leaders and members of the Executive at the ward, local government and state levels, to elect the party’s candidate(s) at a congress or convention.
Recall that in July, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, had moved the amendment to allow direct primaries, which was adopted by the House during the clause-by-clause consideration.
The main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), kicked against the proposal, describing it as undemocratic.
Gaya, a former governor of Kano State in the Second Republic, said the decision to include the direct primaries is not to revolt against the governors but to protect the federal lawmakers from their interference.
Reacting to concerns about the cost of running direct primaries by political parties, the lawmaker said it is the only means to get credible candidates into elective positions.
Gaya also said the lawmakers deleted section 52(3) in response to the outcry by Nigerians, adding that the conference committee will meet in the next couple of days to harmonise the two Bills.
Although both chambers have set up the conference committee, concerns remain on the composition of the committees.
